I've looked through the forum and couldn't find too much about the color on four cylinder engine shrouds. What color was the original '74 2.0 engine shroud? I'm thinking it was a matte black and possibly thinking about taking it to high gloss black. Anyone have in comparative pictures?

The tins are the same color for all years stock, it is a semigloss black. When it gets dingy it looks flat, when it's shined up with engine oil it looks gloss. It's supposed to be that flat black cools the best, a matte surface having more surface are than gloss by its very nature. Gloss cleans up easier, so semigloss seems like the best compromise.

That's exactly what I was looking for. Just bought some semi-gloss engine paint. Thanks!

I was just asking the same questions:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=145830

Stu

Have them powder coated. It is so much better than paint for the long term. You're going to spill gas on them at some point and the paint out of a can just won't hold up to that.

IIRC it was called Satin Black, which is a hair more matte than semi-gloss.

Also, IIRC these guys carried the Satin Black (don't see it listed, so call them) as well as some other colors applicable to 914s -

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new...stuff/paint.cfm

Ask about paint application in semi-high temp situations & what they recco for VW tins (same deal & temps as 914s).